• CO.STARTERS CO.STARTERS

    is a program designed to provide you with insights, relationships, and tools to turn your idea into action and a sustainable business. 

    If you're an aspiring entrepreneur, or a seasoned entrepreneur looking to launch a new product or service, CO.STARTERS is for you. The one requirement is that you have to have a concept you are ready to test and be willing to study, shape and fine-tune in a supportive, collaborative, and welcoming environment. If you're creative, community-minded, and serious about turning your passion into a thriving business, we want you.

    Don't miss your chance to enroll in this 10-week course - another opportunity won't arrive until 2023!

  • Course Dates & Times Course Dates & Times

    Sessions are held for 10 weeks straight, 1 evening a week, and run for 3 hours. 

    Our next cohort will be held Spring 2023! Be on the lookout for information on how to enroll, dates/times, and location of classes.

  • Program Details Program Details

    During CO. STARTERS, you’ll develop and fine-tune your idea, critically examining every part of it and plan your next steps through feedback from people in the community. The program is facilitated by active local entrepreneurs and educators, and guest speakers include specialists and professionals from the Mitchell area in marketing, branding, legal and finance agencies, as well as other entrepreneurs.

    The course consists of eleven sessions; the last session will be a Startup Pitch Night featuring cohort members. We are currently running one cohort per year starting in May 2022. Our next cohort will run Spring 2023. During that time, we'll cover the following topics:


    Session 1: Knowing Yourself

    Session 2: Knowing Your Customer

    Session 3: Find the Right Solution

    Session 4: Getting the Relationship Right

    Session 5: Building Blocks

    Session 6: Structures & Systems

    Session 7: Discovering the Bottom Line

    Session 8: Financial Modeling

    Session 9: Planning for Growth

    Session 10: Celebration Night

  • Pricing Pricing

    The CO.STARTERS business accelerator program is currently supported through the Community Navigator Pilot Program grant, powered by the Small Business Administration. The current price of the program is FREE, which includes program materials and resources. Interested participants can learn more about the value here.

    Participants of the program will receive Q&A with local entrepreneurs, support from Dakota Resources, Startup Sioux Falls, and MCOC/MADC during and post-graduation, and invitations to resource fairs, mentorship programs, alumni networking & workshop events.

    Participants will graduate from the program with a deeper understanding of how to create a sustainable business, articulate their business model, and repeat the process for future business ideas.

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    Applications for the next cohort available Spring of 2023!

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    The Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce and Development Corporation seeks to create an ecosystem that helps entrepreneurs succeed. The Forward 2040 Visionary Planning identified the need to support entrepreneurs in our community and a recent survey revealed that entrepreneurs need mentors, technical assistance, and help identifying funding sources. 

    Thanks to a $1 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Startup Sioux Falls is piloting an expanded version of its CO.STARTERS accelerator program to better reach underserved communities.

    Learn more about the SBA grant opportunity and Hub & Spoke Model Program here: Community Navigator Pilot Program

  • Contact

    Please direct questions and inquiries regarding the program and organizations involved to Alex Heidinger at 605-996-5567 or alex@mitchellsd.com.

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